50% of buyers find their home online

Once upon a time, in the prehistoric era known as the '90s, home buyers had to rely on real estate agents, newspaper listings, and endless open houses to find their dream homes. Fast forward to today, and exactly half of all buyers find their homes on the internet. The other half? Well, they're probably still wandering aimlessly through open houses, nibbling on complimentary cheese cubes and trying to remember if this is the house with the charming garden or the one with the questionable carpet choice.

Now, you might be thinking, "Half? Really? Only half?" And to that, I say, "Yes, half." But let's not underestimate the power of the internet. After all, it's the place where cat videos reign supreme and where you can order a pizza, a new outfit, and a date for Friday night all within the span of five minutes.

So, how exactly are these savvy internet users finding their homes online? Well, it's a combination of online listings, virtual tours, and an unhealthy obsession with interior design blogs. And let's not forget the power of social media. Nothing quite says 'I've made it' like posting a photo of your new house keys with the hashtag #HomeownerLife.

But what about the other half? The ones still braving the open house circuit, armed with nothing but a notepad, a pen, and a dream? Well, they're part of the story too. These brave souls venture into the wild, navigating the treacherous terrain of staged homes and 'as-is' properties. They dodge overzealous real estate agents and battle it out with other would-be buyers, all in the hopes of finding 'The One.'

And let's not forget about the cheese cubes. Oh, the cheese cubes. The staple of any good open house, these bite-sized morsels of dairy goodness have fueled many a home buyer on their quest. Some say the quality of the cheese cubes directly correlates with the quality of the house. But that's a topic for another blog post.

So, what's the moral of this story? Well, it's that the home buying process has changed. The internet has revolutionized the way we search for and purchase homes. But at the same time, the traditional methods are still alive and well. And cheese cubes will never go out of style.

In the end, whether you're part of the half finding their homes on the internet or the half still hitting the pavement, the goal is the same: to find a place you can call home. A place where you can hang your hat (or your collection of novelty mugs, no judgment here) and say, "This is mine."

So, here's to the home buyers, the internet surfers, the open house attendees, and yes, even the cheese cube enthusiasts. May you all find your dream homes, whether it's in the vast expanse of the internet or just around the corner at the next open house.

And remember, no matter how you find your home, there's one thing that's for certain: there's no place like home. Especially if it's a home you found on the internet while sitting in your pajamas. Now that's what I call a win.